Firefighters had to respond Monday to the Broome Street building, where Stephen Hewett Brown was killed, to free the trapped, residents said.

"That particular elevator was cleared just 48 hours ago, and people got stuck in it again yesterday," said Daisy Paez, chair of the Grand Street Guild Tenant Association. "We live in a 26-story building where people have become hostages in their own homes."

Paez said a full replacement of the elevator cabs and mechanical systems that was supposed to happen, was not done.

Calls to Wavecrest Management, which handles maintenance for the building, were not returned.

The case has spurred a new wave of elevator reform legislation. Councilman James Vacca (D-Throgs Neck) introduced a bill Tuesday which would require all elevator contractors and subcontractors to be licensed.

"I'm doing this because I don't know when Albany is going to act,' Vacca said Tuesday.

Paez, though, said the bill doesn't go far enough because it doesn't include city housing authority buildings. Vacca said the council is barred from passing legislation on authorities, like NYCHA.

A similar, more far-reaching bill, known as the Elevator Safety Act, has been pending in Albany for more than a year. It was passed by the Assembly but died in the Senate. It has been resubmitted.

The bill is critical to preventing "further tragedy because of elevator malfunction and maintenance," said Assemb. Keith L.T. Wright, a sponsor.